Analysis of the Relationships between Seasonal Changes in Cut Flower Yield and Quality, and Temperature and Light Intensity, in Three Rose Varieties

Abstract

Three rose varieties, ‘Meivildo’, ‘Meikatana’, and ‘Korcut0122’ were grown using an “arching” method for three years. The relationship between temperature and light intensity, and the yield and quality of cut flowers, were analyzed. Flowering flushes were observed 18 times in ‘Meivildo’ and ‘Meikatana’ and 16 times in ‘Korcut0122’ during the experimental period. In three varieties, significant negative linear regressions between the interval of flowering flush (growth period, GP) and the mean temperature per GP were observed. Significant positive correlations and linear regression were observed between the number of cut flowers per plant and the mean temperature in ‘Meivildo’ and ‘Meikatana’, and the total light integral per GP (TLI) in ‘Korcut0122’. In three varieties, significant positive correlations and linear regressions were observed between the total cut flower weight per plant, and the mean daily light integral per GP (DLI) and TLI. Highly significant positive correlations and linear regressions were observed between the daily gain in flower weight (DGW) of cut flowers per plant (the total cut flower weight divided by the number of days of GP) and the mean DLI in all three varieties. In ‘Meivildo’ and ‘Meikatana’, cut flower weight per stem had significant negative correlations and linear regression with mean temperature and positive ones with TLI, while ‘Korcut0122’ showed no significant correlation with the three environmental factors. Significant positive correlations and linear regressions existed between the specific cut flower weight (the cut flower weight per stem length) and TLI in all three varieties, and negative ones existed between the specific cut flower weight and mean temperature in ‘Meivildo’ and ‘Meikatana’. The relationship between the results in this experiment and previous reports on the relation between the environment and cut flower yield quality are discussed. Finally, we present the significance of the method used in this experiment for 1) prediction of flowering and shipping of cut flowers, 2) evaluation of differences in characteristics among the rose varieties, and 3) contribution to the development of a growth model.